October 2016 Meeting

The Learning Management System snapshot series continues with Jericho UFSD presenting on their use of Canvas, implemented earlier this year in grades K-12. Canvas is an open platform system launched in 2011 that integrates with most Student Information Systems. According to their web site, “Whatever it is, Canvas plays nice with all of it.” Linda Alesi will discuss how they are using it and plans moving forward.

On September 22 NYSED appointed Ms. Temitope Akinyemi as Chief Privacy Officer. Section 2-d of the Education Law includes a requirement that the Commissioner seek the input of experts in developing data security and privacy regulation(s), standard(s) and policies. Ms. Akinyemi will be joining us via webinar to introduce herself and to hear our concerns and suggestions in drafting new legislation. We have sent her and she has reviewed the Student Data Privacy Appeal drafted by our Data Privacy subcommittee last spring.

We recently announced the launch of the RIC One Data Privacy and Security Service (DPSS), developed to support districts’ compliance with New York State’s Common Core Reform Act, Education Law 2-d, and the Parents’ Bill of Rights, and provide resources to confront the increasing threats to district data and security. Dr. Valerie D’Aguanno will introduce and provide an overview of this new service, which will include a demo of an Inventory Tool that enables districts to compile a list of their software inventory as well as link to third-party vendor’s software Privacy Policies and Notices thus enabling districts to comply with provisions of the New York State’s Parents’ Bill of Rights. For more information and to view a complimentary inaugural issue of the Digital Digest, visit the Nassau BOCES DPSS web page.

Over the course of the next few weeks the New York State Education Department will be releasing to the field information with regard to Computer Based Testing for the 2016 – 17 school year. As you are probably aware, schools will have the option to administer the NYS assessments in ELA and Math for grades 3 – 8 this year in addition to being able to elect 3 – 8 field test via CBT as they were able to last school year. Dr. Meador Pratt will be on hand to fill us in on all the details, along with updates on the NYSAA Computer Based Testing (DLM – Dynamic Learning Maps) which is entering its second year.